Brazilian butt lift (BBL) in Istanbul
A Brazilian butt lift reshapes the buttocks with your own fat. Safety depends on injecting fat only under the skin and on an experienced surgical team.
General information; it does not replace a medical consultation.
What is a Brazilian butt lift (BBL)?
A Brazilian butt lift (BBL) is a fat-transfer procedure: fat is removed by liposuction from areas such as the abdomen or flanks, purified and injected into the buttocks to change their shape and volume. It does not use implants. Because of rare but serious risks, safe injection technique and an experienced surgical team are essential.
How is a BBL performed?
- Fat is harvested with liposuction from donor areas agreed in the plan.
- The fat is processed to separate usable fat cells.
- The fat is injected into the buttocks. Current safety guidance says fat should be placed only in the layer under the skin (subcutaneous), not into the muscle; some teams use ultrasound to guide the cannula.
- Compression garments are applied and you receive written aftercare instructions.
Why does safety matter so much with BBL?
If fat enters large veins deep in the buttock muscle, it can travel to the lungs (fat embolism), which can be life-threatening. Professional societies therefore recommend injecting only above the muscle. Ask the surgeon directly how they keep the injection in the subcutaneous layer, whether ultrasound guidance is used, and where the operation takes place.
Who may be a good candidate?
- adults in good health, close to a stable weight;
- people with enough fat in donor areas to transfer;
- non-smokers, or people willing to stop before and after surgery;
- people who understand that part of the transferred fat is reabsorbed and results vary.
Who may not be suitable?
- very slim people without enough donor fat; the surgeon may discuss other options;
- people with blood-clotting disorders, significant heart or lung disease, or uncontrolled medical conditions;
- people planning major weight change, which can alter the result.
We do not coordinate plastic surgery for patients with diabetes or heart disease; we refer these patients to a fully equipped hospital.
BBL or buttock implants?
| Aspect | BBL (fat transfer) | Buttock implants |
|---|---|---|
| Material | Your own fat | Silicone implant |
| Donor areas | Also contoured by liposuction | Not needed |
| Main limitation | Part of the fat is reabsorbed; needs enough donor fat | Implant-related risks such as displacement or infection |
What is recovery like?
Swelling and bruising are expected in both the donor and the treated areas. Surgeons usually ask patients to avoid sitting directly on the buttocks for a period and to use compression garments; follow your team’s written instructions exactly. The final shape becomes clear over months as swelling settles and some fat is absorbed. Ask when long flights are safe, because sitting for hours raises clot risk.
What are the risks?
- fat embolism, rare but potentially fatal;
- blood clots, infection or fluid collection;
- asymmetry, lumps, oil cysts or fat necrosis;
- contour irregularities in the liposuction areas;
- loss of volume over time as part of the fat is reabsorbed.
What factors determine the cost of a BBL?
The cost depends on the number of liposuction areas, the amount of fat transferred, the hospital stay, garments and what the package includes. There is no single price; ask for a written, itemised plan and safety information before you book.
How does AVAN AESTH help?
AVAN AESTH is a patient coordination service, not a clinic or hospital. We share your information with a licensed provider in Istanbul for an initial assessment, help you ask the right safety questions and organise appointments and travel. The surgical decision and the operation are the surgeon’s responsibility.
Related: liposuction, tummy tuck, Body contouring.
Sources: ASPS – BBL complications and prevention; Cleveland Clinic – Brazilian butt lift.
Frequently asked questions about BBL
How much of the transferred fat stays?
Some of it is broken down during the first months. The amount cannot be predicted exactly; a second session is sometimes discussed.
How long should I avoid sitting?
The surgeon gives you this in writing, often together with a special cushion. Plan ahead how you will manage the journey home.
Can a BBL be done if I am very slim?
Whether you are suitable is decided by the surgeon after an individual assessment. A BBL is only possible if there is enough of your own fat to transfer; otherwise alternatives such as buttock implants may be discussed.
When will I see the final shape?
Swelling hides the result in the first weeks. The shape settles gradually over several months as the transferred fat stabilises.
Personalised treatment plan
Your individual package includes hotel accommodation, airport welcome, VIP transfers, interpreter support and the medicines prescribed by the treating professional. Your dates and length of stay in Istanbul depend on your treatment plan; before booking, confirm them in writing together with the number of hotel nights and aftercare arrangements.
Travel and length of stay
Ask for an individual schedule before booking flights. Confirm the number of visits, review appointments and when the treating professional expects you to be fit to travel. Some treatment plans require more than one visit.
Follow-up after returning home
After you return home, we follow up with you for 2 years and we get in touch with you ourselves: close follow-up in the first week, then once a month until month 6 and every 3 months until the end of the second year.
Request information →Plan your consultation
Tell us which treatment you are considering, your country and your preferred contact time. We will help you understand what information is needed for an initial assessment.
2-year follow-up: once you are home, AVAN AESTH follows up with you for two years. You send photos at the times the treatment team recommends, and we pass on your questions and the answers.
For patients with heart disease or diabetes we do not coordinate plastic surgery; we refer them to a fully equipped hospital for direct assessment.
Travelling from the UK, the US or Canada? Entry, insurance and follow-up at home: read our guides for UK patients, US patients and Canadian patients. See also when we say “no”.
Planning your treatment
Before booking, discuss your goals, suitability, alternatives and risks with the treating professional. Request a written treatment plan and realistic expectations. The plan should be based on your individual assessment.
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